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Gonzo's Top 5: Metallica's Orion Music and More Festival, Lilac Festival at Mackinac Island, Festival of the Arts and more!

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Gonzo's Top 5: The Orion Music and More Festival will feature more than 30 bands across 5 live music stages, June 8 and 9 at Belle Isle in Detroit. Headliners include Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
(Courtesy of Music and More Festival)

As we all know, the summer months in Michigan are always the busiest time of year.

Not to mention the end of another school year and an onslaught of high school graduation parties (how many do you have to attend this year?), local communities begin to gear up for annual events, such as this year's Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids.

As I do every week, I sift through my huge calendar of events and bring you my weekly Gonzo's Top 5 events not to miss.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

5. Lilac Festival, June 7-16, Mackinac Island
My wife Pam and I spent a beautiful weekend on Mackinac Island a couple weeks ago; we were reminded that it's a magical place for family vacations, as well as weekend getaways for couples and friends. All summer long there are a great number of events to celebrate our state's history and beauty. The annual Lilac Festival returns June 7 through June 16 with parades, activities and lilacs, of course. More details at mackinacisland.org.

4. B-93 Birthday Bash 21, June 8-9, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, Martin
Yes, it's been going strong in a variety of locations for two decades. And this year's line up for country station B-93 is one of its best:June 8: Gary Allan, Hunter Hayes, Uncle Kracker, Randy Houser, Tyler Farr, Rachel Farley.June 9: Billy Currington, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, The Henningsens, Charlie Worsham.
Tickets are free, but only available at announced locations; parking is $30. More details at b93.com.

3. Daniel Tosh, June 7, Grand Rapids; June 8, Detroit, June 9, East Lansing
Comedian Daniel Tosh will be in Michigan so much this weekend I think we should make him an honorarian Michigander! What do you think? Best known for his "Tosh.0" on Comedy Central, the performer is currently on his "June Gloom Tour." Performances are at 7 and 9:30 p.m. June 7 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids; 7 and 10 p.m. June 8 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. June 9 at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. Check on ticket availability.

2. Festival of the Arts, June 7-9, various stages in downtown Grand Rapids
Life in Grand Rapids was pretty darn good, B.A. -- as in Before ArtPrize. Of course, it blossomed significantly since the birth of ArtPrize, the annual art showcase that turns the city upside down and into a beautiful canvas. But B.A., the city's calling card was simply called Festival. And Festival features multiple stages, hundreds of entertainers, and food booths run by local non-profits over three days. It's a showcase of its own of cultural arts in GR. Admission is free. More info at festivalgr.org.

1. Metallica's Orion Music and More Festival, June 8 and 9, Belle Isle
You had me at Belle Isle! Throw in two rock bands that changed the course of music -- both with Michigan connections -- and you have Metallica's Orion Music and More Festival. The two-date outdoor event at Belle Isle will feature an eclectic mix of bands, as well as headliners Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It will include 30-plus bands across five live music stages. Other acts include Rise Against, Deftones, Dropkick Murphys; Gogol Bordello, Bassnectar, FLAG, and many more! More details, including ticket prices and a complete schedule at orionmusicandmore.com.